The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-05-07
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along.

Along the lakes western bank the
road wound in front of most delightful
homes, while its eastern shore was over
hung by noble forest trees, and these had
long fcstoons Of moss hanging gracefully
from their boughs. Many flowers, shrubs
and trees were seen with which Northern
eyes were unfamiliar; these gave the re-
gion q half tropical appearance. In this
delightful spot, with the air sort,
balmy and filed with the fragrance or
flowers, birds singing, and so much to
please the senses, the writer thought he
never had looked upon 50 much OF bloom
ing, sunny, delicious, glorious nature.
1t was, indeed, u perfect specimen OF the
S'mny South.
A real little PARADISE and as such was no
doubt regarded by its wealthy residents,
who only a few weeks before felt as secure
from invasion as the residents OF the
North.
The region being in great degree $50
lated, In "a low level section OF country that
had to be protected from overflow by
lovecs was, particularly in season re-
markable for high water, deemed safe
from all invasion, If not indeed PROOF
against it.
But the persistent Grant had dccrced it
9th ,rwise, and now long and formidable
columns Of energetic and hardy Northern
er3, were making their way through the
very heart of this enchanting country
SO impcnctrablc was th1 locality deemed
by the Confcdcratcs, that Pcmberton, 1T
was said, to the last persisted IN the bcllet
that the movement was not in force ana
was only fcint, and intended as diver
SION from serious attack on NlclsDurS
from some other quarter.
The Goth of April the Mississippi was
reached at Hard Times Landing nearly OPP
posite Grand Gulf just below the latter
place IL d. Shroon's plantation, and thith-
err tho column marched after short stop
at Hard Times. The line led in sight OF
Grand Gulf, into which our gunboatS were
seen throwing shells; the firing was very
deliberate, and mt the time was not re-
spondc,i to by the COnfclerdtcs. The navy
however fa led to reduce the works.
About 10000 troops belonging to the
Thirteenth Corps had gone aboard trans
ports at New Carthage some twenty or
thirty miles above. A landing place Tor
these was sought above Grand Gull, on the
Mississippi side, but none being found they
debarked ut Hard Times after night fall,
and quietly marched across the peninsula,
on the Louisiana shore, opposite the reoei
stronghold
Meantime the navy engaged the Confed-
crate batteries, during which the loaded
transports ran by. The writer's regiment
was encamped n few miles below, and the
cannonading made terrific noise.
Whether il came from the heavy caliber OF
the guns engaged or from the peculiar
state OF the atmosphere, the writ r eau
not say, but never did the terrific din or
cannonaiinS strike his ears with such
force. Every shot, too, seemed to have a
peculiar ringing sound that was piercing
in its eff 5 upon the organs OF hearing.
As before stated, the writer's regiment en-
camped the nigh, Of the 29th of April at De
Shroon's plantation below Grand Gulf on
the river.
Very early on the morniZgof April 30 the
gun-boats and transports, both alive with
soldiers, were seen on the river.
These moved over towards the Missis-
sippi shore, and the writer remembers al
most shuddering with fear lest they would
be fired into from tho adjoining hills. Inc
boats all moved down the river about SIX
miles and landed at Bruinsburg.
The hospital department did not go
aboard . boat till near nightfall, and, hav-
ing been informed that ell would RENAL